Save a dormouse this Valentine's Day

Surrey Wildlife Trust is asking people to help save the 'priority species' on Valentine's Day by adopting an animal

Surrey Wildlife Trust has encouraged people to adopt a dormouse for Valentine's Day

Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) has urged the county’s lovers to adopt a dormouse as a gift this Valentine’s Day.

The trust has emphasised that dormice are a ‘priority species’ for protection and encouraged people to help support them.

A spokesman for SWT said: “Show your wild love this Valentine’s Day by adopting an animal for your loved one. The adorable gift sets make an unusual and perfect present for your valentine.

“By adopting a dormouse you will contribute to Surrey Wildlife Trust’s vital conservation work and help to protect one of our most popular and rare mammals by providing funds to pay for dormouse nest boxes and for maintaining existing ones.”

As an alternative to a dormouse, SWT has also suggested adopting an otter. The trust explained that while their range is increasing in Britain, the population of the European otter is fragile.

Adopting a dormouse or an otter costs £20 a month, which includes an adoption certificate, fact sheet, a Field Studies Council guide to British land mammals, a dormouse/otter soft toy, photograph, sticker and badge, and two newsletters a year.

For more information, visit www.surreywildlifetrust.org/adopt/wildlife.

The Surrey Advertiser, News & Mail and Staines Informer are part of Trinity Mirror Southern, offering you unique access to our audience across the region online and in print.

We reach an average of 599,113* unique users a month with dedicated coverage of Guildford, Woking, Esher, Staines and the whole of Surrey

80% of our visitors**, who view an average of 2,616,228* page impressions every month, are in the desirable ABC1 socio-economic groups.

To book an advert with the our advertising team, call 01483 508700 or visit the Trinity Mirror Southern website trinitymirrorsouthern.co.uk for more information.trinitymirrorsouthern.co.uk for more information.

We are part of Trinity Mirror Southern, offering you unique access to our audience across the region online and in print..

She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.